I just walked out of the last MOPS meeting for 2018. If you don’t know what MOPS is, it stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, and this was my first year to participate at Park Cities Baptist Church. A good friend of mine talked me into doing it this year and I’m so glad that she did. I have met some sweet new mamas that I may have otherwise not met. But more importantly I have had the privilege of hearing older moms and speakers talk on so many important aspects of life. I say all of this to get to my point. Today we listened to a panel of our mentor moms and they all talked about how to keep Christ in Christmas. After all, that is what Christmas is ALL about.
One mom said something that, of course, hit home with me. She said, “Keep it simple.” Christmas…simple? What about all the gifts? What about all the parties? What about the traditions? What about all the decorations? Not to mention, when and where will your family celebrate Christmas? Will you participate in Elf on a Shelf? Will your family do Santa?
Christ. Period!
Luke 2:10-11 – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Read the story of Jesus’ birth. Read it alone. Read it with your husband. Read it to your kids. If you are on overachiever, memorize the scripture. Talk about the coming of Jesus (what kid doesn’t love a good birthday party?). Go to a live nativity. Have nativity scenes in your house. Go to church!
One of my favorite memories as a child is the Christmas program that we put on every Christmas Eve. All of the grand-kids got together and read the Birth of Jesus from the Bible (those who could read) and the other kids would sing Christmas carols or hymns that coincided with the story. It was a tradition that started when my mom and her sisters were kids and carried on through the years. We continued this tradition as we got older (see picture below) and added some of our own “flare” to the singing. Young and old, it was such a beautiful way to bring the focus back to Jesus in the midst of all the “Christmas chaos”. As our kids grow up we hope to continue the Warner family Christmas program
Now don’t get me wrong, I am NOT saying there is anything wrong with Santa (we do Santa in our house), I’m NOT saying there is anything wrong with the decorations (we are fully decorated and will do a post on that in the next few days) and I’m NOT saying there is anything wrong with gifts (even Jesus got gifts on Christmas). But as you go through the Christmas season this year remember that the true reason for the season is Christ!
